Mobile communication antenna device

• US 6,028,555 A
• Filed: 12/23/1997
• Issued: 02/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Harano, Nobuya
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHEN, SHIH CHAO
• Application Number:
  US08/997,609
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 343/702, 343/725, 455/575, 455/89
• US Class Current: 343/702
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/242 specially adapted for hand-held use
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0421 with a shorting wall or a shorting pin at one end of the element H01Q9/0414 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0262 for a battery compartment

Abstract

A replaceable battery cover can be detachably mounted on a battery storage portion formed in the housing of mobile terminal equipment. A linear or plate-like antenna conductor having an antenna element pattern is joined to the inner surface of the battery cover by using one of joining means including embedding, boding, welding, and fitting means. The battery cover is mounted on the storage portion to electrically connect the antenna conductor to a radio circuit in the housing. In this case, by changing the arrangement of the antenna conductor, the antenna can be replaced with a loop antenna, a zigzag antenna, a helical antenna, or a microstrip antenna in accordance with a specific battery cover. In addition, the device may have an external antenna connection terminal to which an external antenna can be connected or an external interface section.

Claims

1. An antenna for a mobile communication device having a battery compartment, comprising:

a selectively removable cover for the battery compartment of the mobile communication device, said cover having a flat back portion and an end portion generally orthogonal to said back portion;

an antenna conductor on an interior surface of said removable cover and comprising a first plate attached to said back portion, a substrate attached to a surface of said first plate opposite said back portion, a second plate attached to a surface of said substrate opposite said first plate, and a third plate attached to said end portion, said second plate being in electrical contact with said third plate;

a feed terminal extending from said first plate; and

a ground terminal extending from one of said second and third plates,

wherein said feed and ground terminals are arranged and constructed to electrically connect said antenna conductor to the mobile communication device.

2. The antenna of claim 1, further comprising a further antenna conductor in a housing for the mobile communication device.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said further antenna conductor in said housing is on a printed wiring board in said housing.

4. A device according to claim 2, wherein said antenna conductor and said further antenna conductor are arranged and constructed for performing diversity reception between said antenna conductor on said battery cover and said further antenna conductor in said housing.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said cover comprises an external antenna connection terminal adapted to receive a connection for an external antenna.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said cover has an external interface section for exchanging communication data with an external device.

7. The antenna of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second plates and said substrate has a larger areal extent than said back portion.